Rocky Point for Spring Break

After much deliberation Justin finally decided he could take a few days off work and we could send part of spring break in Rocky Point. We were all thrilled!!! 

 We haven't been to Rocky Point for spring break in about 11 years. Church on Sunday was amazing!  It was totally full and we got there 10 minutes before sacrament meeting began. It looks more like a stake conference. But nope it's just a Sunday of spring break in Rocky Point. The chapel and over flow were jammed with vacationers and locates alike. It is wonderful to see and be apart of this. 

 

One of our favorite traditions is donuts from Reggies!  

Ella is a huge fan of Reggies donuts!! 

  

One great thing about the beach in Mexico is that everything comes to you!!! The food, the souvenirs, the massage ladies or pedicure ladies all come to you. 

 

My favorite part of church in Mexico is the spirit you feel when the hymn are sung. Doesn't matter the language barrier, the spirit still comes. 

 

Logan and Keetan chatting it up. I will further explain this cute boy Keaton in a bit. 

 

Everyone loves a mango with lime while sitting on the beach!!! 

 

Isn't this the cutest picture ever?!?  
It should be in a swimsuit magazine somewhere for sure!

Ella and Recker were the best of buddies this whole trip!!  It was the cutest thing ever! 

Ella, Hunter, Lathe, Calli, Kiersten, Shay, and Grant

(Logan and Gavin are photobombing in the kayaking)

 

One of my favorite pictures from this trip!!

I love my bookend girls! 

And from the looks of it, I'd say they love each other too! 

 

When the popsicle man walks right by you on the beach in Ella's words,
 "We need a popsicle!"

 

Gosh I have some gorgeous daughters!!!

Gavin and Hunter made a marble run!

They sure love the beach!  Spent the days kayaking, snorkeling, finding shells, and just having a great time! 

  

This trip Ella was obsessed with finding "unicorn seashells!"  It was so cute!!  She was in heaven looking for shells when the tide would go out!  

 

Where is Ella?!?

 

Grabbing some grub at Upstairs Taco!

 

This is another favorite picture of the trip!

The water was beautiful and the weather was perfect this trip!  
Hunter is such a great big brother.  Always so willing to entertain his little sister!

 

Ella LOVES Terry Earp!!!  And Terry is pretty fond of Ella! Love our Mexico family! 

Kiersten, Keaton, and Calli

Okay so this Keetan boy happens to be brother of Bodine Rogers girlfriend Shelby, from Mesa. Their family, the Steck's joined the Rogers for spring break in Mexico. 

Needless to say, The is probably Kiersten's FAVORITE trip to Rocky Point if you know what I mean!!

 

Gavin and Logan showing me their mad skills!

 

Pretty big smiles on Kiersten and Callie's faces!! Although, that Keaton boy has a big smile too! 

 

Sand dollar hunting is a must while in Rocky Point! 

 

Pina colados on the beach......ummmm yes please!!  So yummy!!

Ella Jane and Recker making a "mud castle."

  

Hunter and Weston Steck hit the mother load of sand dollars. They found around 50 between the two of them!! 

 

Logan found about 15 or so. All I know is I kept hearing Logan said, "found one" way more often then I was finding any! 

Ella had fun looking even though the water was almost up to her waist. 

  

When you are three you don't care about flavors of popsicles. No, what really matters is what COLOR the popsicle is!!! 

Ella was very happy about her pink popsicle! 

 

Hunter found lots of cool shells while snorkeling!  So cool!! 

Grant just chilling by Dallin Ajeman, who just got home off his mission because he broke his femur. We are bummed because of the circumstances but it was great to visit with him!!!  Such a stud! 

The group waiting for a banana boat ride!

Hunter, Bodine, Grant, Shelby, Gavin, Kiersten, Callie, Logan Cluff, Keaton, Weston, and Logan McMaster's 

 

We had some pretty happy boys!

The skate park in Rocky Point actually got finished!  The kids all loved it! Kiersten and Keaton....well they just loves hanging out together, skate park or not!

  

Ella Jane is a scootering fool!!!

She loves the skatepark and even let Recker take turns with her scooter! 

The Rogers brought lanterns to light on the beach and they worked this time.  

It was awesome!!!

Beautiful, fun night on the beach!

These kids were smiling from ear to ear.  There might have been some flirting going on during the lighting of the lanterns......it was cute!

 

Rocky Point has some sick graffiti!  This wall is by the dirt mall!  Isn't it awesome?!?

I sure love this family of mine!  I am so grateful Justin finally gave in and decided he could take a few days off work so we could enjoy this trip over spring break. What a sweetheart!

Although, he did admit it was a much needed break!  Even though he worked intense hours prior to us leaving and the week when we returned. There is always a price when Justin takes time off. It really isn't "taking off work," it is more like work those hours just at a different time. Oh the joys of owning your own business that most people don't realize is the reality. 

 

I love my Logic Bear!

This kid is the definition of fun!!!

I mean what 11 year old poses like that?!? Obviously, a fun one!

 

It was a wonderful trip!!

This picture defines how we all felt!  

Smiles from ear to ear!

Kiersten and Keaton got each other's cell numbers and, since I am journaling about this trip 2 weeks later, I can tell you they have a cute little long distance crush going on!  I see some trip to Mesa in our future once Kiersten turns 16. 

The Steck's are a wonderful family and we enjoyed getting to know them. We all approve of Keaton :) 

Kiersten scored big time on this trip. She not only has Keetan messaging her all the time. Logan McMaster's, who is a senior at Thatcher, is messaging her daily as well. Needless to say, this girl cannot wait to turn 16 in August!! 

Ward Trek

Yes you read that right...

Ward Trek!! 

 

Tuddy, Logan, and Grant 

(Dane DeRusha nice photobomb)

What cute pioneer boys I was surrounded by. 

Justin tries his very best to talk me out of going on the ward trek. He is smiling here in this picture but I am sure in his h as he is cussing. LOL!  He isn't a fan of walking in general so the trek did not sound fun in any way. It is walking that includes socializing. Two things Justin hates. But he was a trooper and did it anyway. 

 

After the family we were originally paired to share a handcart with backed out. (Still mad at Jed and Tamra Hughes :)) We got paired with the Woods family. It was great to get to know them better!! 

 

Sweet pioneer girls!

Kiersten and Kallie Smart!

We had a wonderful pioneer company!  

Tucker Wilkins, Ella Jane and Tuddy Smart

Loved spending time with the Wilkins and Smarts!  

  

All that riding in the handcart can wear you out!  It was hotter than normal for this time of year. There were several people who got sick from the heat. In fact the Woods family ended up throwing up all night and went home early the next morning because of the heat. This left us once again without a family to help push the handcart with. Thank goodness Brother Wasson came and helped us push it our cart the two miles back to our cars. 

 

Here is proof Ella did do a little bit of walking. We were in the DeRusha Company. Funniest company ever!!!  We hiked

 

For some reason Logan was much happier pushing the Smart's and DeRusha's wagon instead of ours. 

 

It was a much hotter weekend then is typical for spring break. It was a difficult trek at times. We traveled only 8 miles. But about half of the time we were in a wash. Man it was extremely hard to push those handcarts through the sandy wash. It brought me to tears at times thinking of all the pioneers endured during their trek to Utah. 

 

Having a little 3 year old in the wagon gave me a tiny, tiny glimpse into traveling by handcart with little ones. Although, our hardcart was full of snacks, caprisuns, and lots of things to make our short trek comfortable. 

 

I love my little pioneer family!! 

 

We had a great and exhausting experience on the ward trek!  We loved the time we got to bond with families in our ward! 

 

Ella loves Lizzy Warn!

Overall the ward trek was a positive experience. My testimony and appreciation for the pioneers and the restoration of the gospel has grown. Ultimately, I am so grateful for the friendships that were strengthened over the two days spend on trek. 

Love Our Grandma B!

We sure love it when Grandma B comes to visit!  She is such a special lady.  When you think of the "ideal" grandma she is it!

We had her over for dinner and FHE.  Hunter was in charge of the lesson.  He did a wonderful job giving a lesson on keeping the Sabbath day holy.  We were happy that Grammie and Grampie Cluff came as well.  Kiersten was super sad to miss it, but once again she was at her second home, the dance studio!

It was a great evening! We sure love Grandma B!

Best First Born Ever!!!

Kiersten was inducted in to the National Honors Society tonight!  What an outstanding accomplishment as a sophomore in high school. In the Pima Rex Allred Chapter 24 students applied and only 8 were chosen. 

 

Hadley, Trae, Cassidy, Emily, Samuel, 

Kiersten, KristiAnna, Carlee, Morgan

 

Such a proud parent moment!  Ella insisted on being in the picture with us. 

Kiersten exemplifies all the qualities the National Honors Society requires. 

Induction Pledge

I pledge to maintain

my high scholastic standing,

To hold as fundamental and worthy

an untarnished character,

To endeavor intelligently and courageously

to be a leader,

And give myself freely in service of others,

And in so doing,

I shall prove myself worthy of a place

in the National Honors Society. 

 

I truly am blessed to be Kiersten's mom. She is smart, determined, grateful, dedicated, she has a kind heart, she is compassionate and caring, she is funny and has just enough airheadedness to give us a good laugh every now and then. She has a strong testimony, sets her values high and doesn't compromise in the face of the adversary. 

I often find myself thinking Kiersten is raising me....lol!  She is a much better teenager than I was. I could go on and on about this girl!!!

I am so grateful for her example to us all!!! 

Thanks for being amazing! Way to go!

We are so proud of you Kiersten!!!

Little Ditch Day

This little guy isn't feeling good so he stayed home from school. He watched many episodes of Gold Rush, his favorite show. So glad it's on Hulu!  I had lots of school work to get working on so I promised him we would do something together at 1:00. 

 

Grant is a cuddler and kept wanting me to come cuddle with him while we watched his show. But it's hard to write a paper while watching TV. So come 1:00 I knew I needed to put the school work down and spend time with my little sickie! 

 

We decided a nice soak in the hot tub would be just what the doctor ordered. It was a crisp 45 degrees outside so the hot tub felt amazing!!  There is snow on the mountains and a breeze in the air. 

Loved my break from school with Grant. Too bad he isn't feeling good. 

Love this boy!! 

My Favorite Time of Year!!

This is my most favorite time of the year!!

 

The quads are out and being rode every chance we get!  I love it!!  The kids are loving life!!  This is when I remember why we moved out of town. So the kids can take off on their quads straight from our house and hit the trails!

 

It is a beautiful life! Starting Ella off the right way!  She is just about ready to start driving the little 50 by herself. For now she thoroughly enjoys rides from her brothers!  

Valentine's Day Win....Then Fail.....Then Win!!

So Hunter asked me last night if he could make a Valentine's breakfast for everyone. Ummmm took me like negative .5 seconds to say yes to that!! Then he tells me that he is going to set his alarm for 4:30 so he can get up and make some for Kiersten as well. She leaves around 6:00 in the morning for her zero hour college class. 

Seriously what a sweetheart!! 

 

Hunter does just that. Gets up at 4:30. Starts making breakfast and around 5:20 Kiersten comes in to the kitchen, comments on how good it smells and how cute it looks. Then she proceeds to get a yogurt from the fridge and eat that. 

Hunter said nothing to her as she started to eat her yogurt.

I get up at 6:00, take Kiersten to school and get back home to a sad little 13 year old boy who is heartbroken that his sister wouldn't eat the amazing Valentine's breakfast he got up so early in the morning to make sure she had. 

 

Seriously look at how awesome this breakfast is!!!  How man 13 year old boys do you know that do this kind of stuff?!?

I ask Hunter if he actually told Kiersten that the breakfast was for her too. 

To which he replies, "no, but she should have known. Why else would I be awake so early making it?"

Knowing Kiersten I then knew that she would have happily eaten the Valentine breakfast had she known it was for her. I sent her a text asking her why she didn't eat The breakfast Hunter made. Once she got out of her zero hour class she called me. 

She was confused and had no idea it was for her too. She assumed Hunter was make breakfast for Justin and myself. 

 

A few hours later I get a text from Kiersten asking if I can come get her at lunch time so she can go buy Hunter a Valentine surprise to say she is sorry!  She made him a cute card during student counsil. 

 

When we got back to school Kiersten took Hunter his gift and apologized. Hunter was in welding and Mrs. Hancock asked what the story behind all this was. 

 

He was so impressed with these two that he insisted on taking pictures of them so he could show his wife (who is also a teacher). 

So these two learned a very valuable lesson this Valentine's Day. The value of good communication!!

I love these kids of mine!!

Happy Valentine's Day!